Find α and β: Parallel Lines with 38° and 140° Angles

Angle Relationships with Parallel Line Intersections

Given three parallel lines

Findα,β \alpha,\beta

αααβββ383838140

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Calculate angle A,B
00:05 Parallel lines according to the given data, marked with letters
00:12 Corresponding angles are equal
00:17 Alternate angles sum to 180 between parallel lines
00:27 Let's isolate angle A
00:37 This is angle A
00:52 Lines are parallel according to the given data
00:57 Alternate angles are equal between parallel lines
01:07 Supplementary angle to 180
01:17 Let's isolate angle B
01:22 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

Given three parallel lines

Findα,β \alpha,\beta

αααβββ383838140

2

Step-by-step solution

We will mark the angle opposite the vertex of 38 with the number 1, therefore, angle 1 is equal to 38 degrees.

We will mark the angle adjacent to angle β \beta with the number 2. And since angle 2 corresponds to the angle 140, angle 2 will be equal to 140 degrees

Since we know that angle 1 is equal to 38 degrees we can calculate the angleα \alpha α=18038=142 \alpha=180-38=142

Now we can calculate the angleβ \beta

180 is equal to angle 2 plus the other angleβ \beta

Since we are given the size of angle 2, we replace the equation and calculate:

β=180140=40 \beta=180-140=40

3

Final Answer

α=142 \alpha=142 β=40 \beta=40

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Parallel Lines: Corresponding angles are equal, supplementary angles sum to 180°
  • Technique: Use α = 180° - 38° = 142° for supplementary angles
  • Check: Verify α + 38° = 180° and β + 140° = 180° ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Confusing corresponding angles with supplementary angles
    Don't assume α = 38° just because they look related = wrong answer! Corresponding angles are only equal when they're in the same relative position. Always identify if angles are supplementary (add to 180°) or corresponding first.

Practice Quiz

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If one of two corresponding angles is a right angle, then the other angle will also be a right angle.

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

How do I know which angles are corresponding?

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Corresponding angles are in the same position when a transversal crosses parallel lines. They're like mirror images - same spot on each parallel line!

Why does α = 142° instead of 38°?

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Because α and the 38° angle are supplementary (they form a straight line). Supplementary angles always add up to 180°, so α=180°38°=142° \alpha = 180° - 38° = 142° .

What's the difference between corresponding and alternate angles?

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Corresponding angles are in the same relative position on parallel lines. Alternate angles are on opposite sides of the transversal. Both types are equal when lines are parallel!

How do I find β when I know the 140° angle?

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The 140° angle and β are supplementary because they form a straight line. So β=180°140°=40° \beta = 180° - 140° = 40° .

Can I solve this without knowing about parallel lines?

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No! The parallel line property is essential here. Without parallel lines, we couldn't use the corresponding and supplementary angle relationships to find α and β.

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